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- The Louvre Museum in Paris confirms that 80% of the patrons visiting the museum come just to see The Mona Lisa.
- But this renowned painting was not as famous before it was stolen from the Louvre Museum on August 21, 1911.
- Leonardo da Vinci painted it in 1507, but people started discussing it in the 1860s—mainly because Napoleon had had it in his bedroom once.
- Still, however, it was not even the most talked-about painting in its gallery, leave aside the whole of the Louvre Museum.
- Almost a day after the theft, a painter noticed the missing painting but didn’t raise an alarm.
- As part of a project, the Louvre Museum, at the time, had engaged a team of photographers to take pictures of paintings.
- So, the artist thought the painting must have gone for a photoshoot.
- After a while, he requested one of the museum’s guards to check with the photographers, who confirmed they didn’t have the painting.
- The heist became a national scandal, and there was a time when 60 detectives were looking for the painting.
- Some big names were suspected to be behind the theft.
- These names included American tycoon, art lover J P Morgan, and the famous artist Pablo Picasso.
- Eventually, it was found that a gang of Italians had stolen it.
- But they couldn’t sell The Mona Lisa for a long time as it was now too famous to sell without gaining attention.
- After more than two years, they made a deal with an art dealer in Florence, but the art dealer complained to the authorities.
- The thieves were arrested and sentenced to eight months in prison.
Also Read:
What is so special about The Mona Lisa?
Image courtesy of Picture by PxFuel
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